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Anne Phelan

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For the Irish politician, see Ann Phelan.

Anne Phelan
OAM
Anne Phelan in her iconic role in "Prisoner" as Myra Desmond
Born
Anne Mary Phelan

(1948-08-02)2 August 1948[1]
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Died27 October 2019(2019-10-27) (aged 71)
Bendigo, Victoria, Australia
Years active1968–2019
Notable credits
Children1

Anne Mary Phelan (2 August 1948[1] – 27 October 2019) was an Australian actress of stage and screen who appeared in many theatre, television and film productions as well as radio and voice-over.

She was best known internationally for her role as prison inmate and top dog Myra Desmond in Prisoner (1980–1985), and for the 1988 miniseries Poor Man's Orange.

Early life

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Phelan was raised in Fitzroy, Victoria.[2] She was reported as saying that she had no formal study or qualifications for acting or singing, but instead had trained through 15 years work in amateur theatre.[3] At age 16, she became pregnant and gave her daughter up for adoption, seeing her again for the first time 50 years later.[4]

Career

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Phelan began her television career in 1968.[5] She had an ongoing role in the local soap opera Bellbird as Kate Ashwood in the early 1970s.[2][6][3]

In the late 1970s, Phelan played guest roles in Prisoner, first appearing as Officer Manson, in a 1979 episode of the series. Later that year, she played the role of dopey prisoner Bernadette in a number of episodes. She began appearing as recurring character Myra Desmond[6] between 1980 and 1983. Myra was then reintroduced to the series in early 1984 as a regular character and Phelan continued in the role for a further 18 months.

Phelan starred in 1988 miniseries Poor Man's Orange, based on the 1949 novel by Ruth Park. The role saw her win a 1988 Australian Film Institute Award.

Phelan's other soap roles included Starting Out (1983), Family and Friends (1990) and Something in the Air (2000–2002).[2][6] She won the AACTA Award for Best Lead Actress in a Television Drama in 2000 for her role as Monica Taylor in the latter.

Phelan guest starred in numerous drama series, including The Flying Doctors[5] and Blue Heelers.[2] She was also a regular on Marshall Law[4] and appeared in the ABC comedy Mother and Son,[4] playing the role of a social worker who befriends Maggie Beare.

Phelan also made two guest appearances in Neighbours.[2][6] The first, in 1997, was as Claudia Harvey and the second, in 2004, was as Doreen 'Peace Dove' Cassidy. In 2007, she appeared in an episode of The Librarians,[4] as a prisoner with the Prisoner theme song.[clarification needed]

In 2012, Phelan joined the cast of comedy drama Winners & Losers in the ongoing role of Dot Gross.[2][7] Winners & Losers marked her first regular role in 10 years. Prior to this, she had appeared in several theatre productions and made various television guest appearances.[7]

Community work

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Phelan was a public speaker and a recipient of Regional Arts Victoria's Don Mackay Award (2006) for Outstanding Achievement in Regional Touring.

From 2000, she was the patron of Positive Women (Victoria), a support and advocacy group run by and for women living with HIV.[2][6][4] She received the Oz Showbiz Cares / Equity Fights AIDS 2002 Activist of the Year Award for outstanding contribution to the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Phelan performed and sang with the Choir of Hard Knocks on Melbourne's streets in 2006, busking to raise money for a performance at the Melbourne Town Hall.[citation needed] She was a member of Actors for Refugees, a group of performers who volunteer their time and talent to tell the stories of Australia's refugees and asylum seekers.[2][4] She was an ambassador for Alzheimer's Australia VIC, educators, advocates and spokespeople for those living with dementia, their families and friends and those who support them.

Death

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Phelan died of natural causes, on 27 October 2019. She was 71 at her time of death,[1] although, some sources have stated her age as 75.[2][4] She was privately cremated.[8]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1976 The Devil's Playground Girl in pub [4]
1980 Hard Knocks [4]
1985 I Live with Me Dad Mrs
1997 The Balanced Particle Freeway Highest Tree (voice)
1998 Edithvale Mrs Vale
1999 The Craic Truck Driver [2][4]
2009 Inanimate Objects 'Mum' Patterson
Charlie & Boots Female Truckie [2][4]
2019 Ride Like a Girl [2][6]

Television

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1968 The Battlers Ma Tyrell [9]
1972 Matlock Police Nurse / Policewoman Williams 2 episodes [4]
1973 Ryan Betty [4]
1973; 1974 Homicide Waitress / Valmai Dunn 2 episodes [4][5]
Division 4 Mardi Campbell / Maria Ponti 2 episodes [4]
Matlock Police Nancy Wells / WPC Winifred Drew / Molly 3 episodes [4]
1974–1977 Bellbird Kate Ashwood [4][5]
1975 Matlock Police Ellen [4][5]
1976 The Sentimental Bloke Mabel TV film
1979 Skyways Joan Hailey Episode: "We Can Face It Together" [4]
Prisoner Officer Manson Episode #1.17
1980 Bernadette Episodes 94–95
1980–1985 Myra Desmond [5]
1981 Holiday Island 1 episode [4]
1982 A Country Practice Rita Parsons 2 episodes [4][5]
Sons and Daughters Tenant [4]
1983 Carson's Law [4]
A Descant for Gossips Mrs. Lalor Miniseries
Starting Out Mrs. De Soosa
1984 Special Squad
1986 The Fast Lane Beth Episode: "Following by Example" [4]
1987 The Harp in the South Mumma Darcy [4][5]
Poor Man's Orange Mumma Darcy [5][10]
1988 Mother and Son Wilma Episode: "The Friend" [4]
The Bartons Mrs. Frawley Episode: "Beautiful Beetroot"
The Flying Doctors Rosie [5]
1989 G.P. Dulcie [4]
Dearest Enemy Mother
Inside Running Justine [4]
The Flying Doctors Lorraine [5]
1990 Family and Friends Dawn Rossi
Skirts (TV series) Mrs. Donovan
1991 The Flying Doctors Beryl Horden [5]
Kelly Rosie Episode: "The Bird Thieves"
Col'n Carpenter Mrs Fuller [4]
1992 Late for School Mrs. Dicks
Boys from the Bush Betty Episode: "Dancing in the Dark"
1994 Blue Heelers Mrs. Brady Episode: "Life After Death"
Law of the Land Mrs. Bickerton / Gracie Morrison [4]
1996–1998 Blue Heelers Jeannie O'Dwyer [4][5]
1996 The Man from Snowy River Nell Frampton Episode: "The Grand Duke" [4]
1997 Good Guys, Bad Guys Maisie Episode: "Gone to the Dogs" [4]
Simone de Beauvoir's Babies Postie 2 episodes [4]
Neighbours Claudia Harvey [5]
1999 The Micallef Programme Madame Pogg in 'Spiffington Manse' [4]
2000 Thunderstone Proprietress 2 episodes [4]
Dogwoman Joan Jarvis [4]
2000–2002 Something in the Air Monica Taylor [2][6]
2002 Marshall Law Esther Hirsh Q.C. [4]
2003 Welcher & Welcher Mrs. Cohen Episode: "Adam's Rib"
2004–2005 Neighbours Doreen Cassidy [5]
2007 The Librarians Big Bertha Episode: "And Nothing But the Truth" [4]
2010 Sleuth 101 Pat Episode: "A Tan to Die For"
2012–2015 Winners & Losers Dot Gross [2][5]
2014 Worst Year of My Life Again Aunt Ethel Episode: "Christmas"
2015 Sammy J & Randy in Ricketts Lane Mrs Tuppens Episode: "Dances with Wolves" [4]

Television variety specials

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Year Title Role Notes
Something Special Solo singing
Frankie Howerd Specials Comedy sketches
The Glitter Sisters Singing group

Stage

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
Tune in Tomorrow Music Revue Don McKay Productions
Embers Play reading Hothouse Theatre
Over There Workshop Playbox Theatre, Melbourne
Romeo and Juliet Nurse MTC
I Do, In Caroline Springs Joy Chapel Off Chapel, Melbourne [11]
Cinderella – An Adult Pantomime Capers Dinner Theatre
1970s The Glitter Sisters Tikki and John's Theatre Restaurant, Melbourne season [3][12]
1970 Once Upon a Mattress Monash Theatre
1971 Cabaret Frau Kost Her Majesty's Theatre, Adelaide [9][11]
I Do, I Do Agnes Cottage Theatre (SA) [11]
1972 Birds on the Wing St Martins Theatre, Melbourne [9]
A Good Night's Sleep / Don't Walk Around Stark Naked Annette / Clarisse [11]
Salad Days [11]
Twelve Angry Women [11]
The Patrick Pearce Motel Niamh [11]
1973 All My Sons St Martins Theatre, Melbourne with MTC [9]
Flash Jim Vaux Nell Russell St Theatre, Melbourne with MTC [9]
1974 Sweet Fanny Adams Le Chat Noir Theatre Restaurant, Melbourne [9]
1976 Billabong Bill Monash University, Melbourne [9]
1978 Oh / Let Me In Sue / Mil Playbox Theatre, Melbourne with Hoopla Theatre Foundation [9]
Alice in Wonderland Sister / Caterpillar / Duchess (puppeteer) Pilgrim Puppet Theatre, Melbourne [9]
1978–1979 Cabaret Sally Bowles Actors' Company Theatre, Sydney [3][13][9]
1979 Gentlemen Only Freddie Playbox Theatre, Melbourne with Hoopla Theatre Foundation [9]
1979–1980 Flexitime Beryl Australian tour with Victorian Arts Council [9][3][12][14]
1980 Kiss Me Goodnight, Sergeant Major Stage Door Theatre Restaurant, Melbourne [9]
1981 1945 Hollywood Canteen [9]
Mourning Becomes Electra: Part One Louisa Ames Melbourne Athenaeum with MTC [9]
Pete McGynty and the Dreamtime Mrs Plenty / Others [9]
The Good Person of Setzuan Mrs Young [9]
Amadeus Teresa Salieri / others [9]
1981–1982 A Cuckoo in the Nest Gladys [9][15]
1982 Stevie Stevie Smith Monash University, Melbourne with Victorian Arts Council [9]
1982–1983 On Our Selection Mum Melbourne Athenaeum with MTC [9]
1985 Season's Greetings Rachael Russell St Theatre, Melbourne with MTC [5][9]
1986–1987 Away Gwen Studio Theatre, Melbourne & VIC regional tour with Victorian Arts Council [9]
1987 Twelfth Night Maria Playhouse, Melbourne with MTC [9]
1988 Dinkum Assorted Grace Sydney Opera House, Playhouse, Melbourne with STC / MTC [16][9]
1989 A Family Affair Agrafena Northside Theatre, Sydney [17][9]
1990 This Old Man Comes Rolling Home Laurie Russell St Theatre, Melbourne with MTC [9]
1992 Diving for Pearls Barb Space Theatre, Adelaide with STCSA [9]
1993 Meekatharra Abbie Playhouse, Perth with Black Swan State Theatre Company, Perth [9]
1994 The Grapes of Wrath Ma Joad Playhouse, Melbourne with MTC [9][18]
A Hard Act to Follow One woman show La Mama, Melbourne [9]
1995 Gigi Inez Alvarez Suncorp Theatre, Brisbane with QTC [9]
Aftershocks Lyn Fairfax Studio, Melbourne with MTC [9]
1996 Sweeney Todd Mrs Lovett Suncorp Piazza, Brisbane, Suncorp Theatre, Brisbane with QTC [9]
1997 A Hard God Aggie Cassidy Playhouse, Adelaide with STCSA [9]
1998 Mechtron: Education from Womb to Tomb Lou Jade Brunswick Mechanics Institute, Melbourne with Community Theatre [19][9]
Dream Kitchen Solo show La Mama, Melbourne
1999 Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens Melbourne Athenaeum [9]
Wonderful Ward Vera Melbourne International Comedy Festival
2002 Hats Off 2002 Actor / Singer National Theatre, Melbourne [9]
2003 Mavis Goes to Timor Mavis Taylor Australian tour with Playbox Theatre Company [9]
2003 Something to Declare Malthouse Theatre, Melbourne [9]
2004 Hats Off! to Sondheim 2004: I'm Still Here National Theatre, Melbourne [9]
2005 If I Should Die Before I Wake Joan Eastbank Centre, Shepparton with Auspicious Arts Projects [20][11]
2006 Faith Grace Wesley Church, Melbourne with The Torch Project [9]
In the Family Marion St Martins Youth Arts Centre, Melbourne [9]
2006–2007 An Accidental Actress Self (biographical) Australian tour with Hothouse Theatre [9]
2007 Fiddler on the Roof Yente St. James Theatre, Wellington, Civic Theatre, Auckland [9]
2008 Ozmade Musicals Concert 2008 Melbourne Athenaeum with Magnormos [9]
2008; 2009 Guys and Dolls General Cartwright Princess Theatre, Melbourne, Capitol Theatre, Sydney [9]
2008–2010 Hats Off! Soloist National Theatre, Melbourne [9]
2009 The Vagina Monologues [9]
2010 Dirty Dusting Olive Casula Powerhouse, Sydney with Ellis Productions [9]
Do Not Go Gentle Wilson Fortyfivedownstairs, Melbourne [21]

Radio and voice

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  • ABC Book readings include: Down by the Dockside and The Harp in the South
  • Serials and plays including the production of the one-woman-play Dream Kitchen
  • Narrator for Visions of Yankalilla, a documentary for Flaming Star Pictures and the documentary series Grey Voyagers, for SBS
  • TV monologue – The Agony and the Ecstasy, for the ABC

Corporate

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  • Anti-Cancer Council Breast Health Video

Awards and honours

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Honours

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Awards and nominations

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Year Association Category Work / nominee Result Ref
1984 Penguin Award Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Serial Prisoner Won [4][5]
1985 Penguin Award Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Serial Won [4][5]
1987 Australian Film Institute Awards Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini Series The Harp in the South Nominated
Penguin Award Performance by a Female Actor in a Principal Role in a One-off Drama Won [25]
Variety Club Heart Awards Variety Club Television Actress of the Year N/a Won
1988 Australian Film Institute Awards Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini Series Poor Man's Orange Won [26]
Penguin Award Best Actress in a One-off Drama Won [27]
Green Room Award Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Drama) Season's Greetings Won [5]
2000 Australian Film Institute Awards Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Television Drama Something in the Air
Episode: "We Will Remember Them" 		Won [5][2][26]
2002 Oz Showbiz Cares / Equity Fights AIDS Activist of the Year N/a Won
2006 Regional Arts Victoria Don Mackay Award Outstanding Achievement in Regional Touring N/a Won
2016 Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance Equity Lifetime Achievement Award N/a Won [2][28]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Anne Phelan exclusive". The Australian Women's Weekly. 1 February 2017. Archived from the original on 2 November 2020. Retrieved 23 June 2020 – via pressreader.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Moran, Robert (28 October 2019). "One of the Best Humans: Prisoner actress Anne Phelan dies aged 75". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  3. ^ a b c d e O'Sullivan, Margaret (12 November 1978). "From Bellbird to Cabaret". The Sun-Herald. p. 179. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap Knox, David (28 October 2019). "Vale: Anne Phelan". TV Tonight. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u "Anne Phelan, Australian actor best known as star of Prisoner, dies aged 75". The Guardian. 28 October 2019. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h "Anne Phelan, acclaimed actor on Australian stages and screens, dies aged 71". ABC News. 28 October 2019. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  7. ^ a b Knox, David (29 June 2012). "Annie Phelan joins Winners & Losers". TV Tonight. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  8. ^ "Phelan.— Anne Mary OAM". Weekly Times Now.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax "Anne Phelan". AusStage. Retrieved 20 February 2026.
  10. ^ Oliver, Robin (7 September 1987). "Poor Man's Orange". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 66. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h "A Good Night's Sleep". Theatregold. Retrieved 20 February 2026.
  12. ^ a b Gibson, Mike (29 June 1980). "Flexitime's a big laugh". The Sun-Herald. p. 135. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  13. ^ Costantino, Romola (22 November 1978). "Pocket Version". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 8. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  14. ^ Hogan, Christine (24 June 1980). "At home with hound and hearth". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 12. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  15. ^ "A Cuckoo in the Nest". Theatregold. Retrieved 20 February 2026.
  16. ^ Kippax, H.G. (3 June 1988). "Assorted dinkum delights". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 18. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  17. ^ Evans, Bob (17 February 1989). "Miscarriage can't find right track". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 12. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  18. ^ Larkin, John (22 May 1994). "Game attempt at a hard act to follow". The Age. p. 43. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  19. ^ Thomson, Helen (11 August 1998). "Community counts the cost". The Age. p. 13. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  20. ^ "if i should die before i wake forum". www.sheppartonartmuseum.com.au. Retrieved 20 February 2026.
  21. ^ "Review: Do not go gentle… on the ABC". Fortyfivedownstairs. 10 August 2010. Retrieved 20 February 2026.
  22. ^ "Phelan, Anne Mary". Australian Honours. Commonwealth of Australia. 11 June 2007. Archived from the original on 15 July 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2010.
  23. ^ "Queen's birthday honours". Herald Sun. News Limited. 11 June 2007. Archived from the original on 3 April 2008. Retrieved 21 November 2010.
  24. ^ "Victorian Honour Roll Booklet 2008" (PDF). Office of Women's Policy, Department for Victorian Communities. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  25. ^ Hooks, Barbara (2 November 1987). "No yawns at the '87 Penguins". The Age. p. 19. Retrieved 31 January 2020 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  26. ^ a b "AFI Award Winners – Television Categories (1986–2009)". AFI Awards. Australian Film Institute. 2009. Archived from the original on 20 September 2009. Retrieved 2010-11-21.
  27. ^ Hook, Barbara (21 November 1988). "Doogue aside, Penguins look good". The Age. Retrieved 4 February 2021 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  28. ^ "2016: the year in review". Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance. 20 December 2016. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
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